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Step 1: Learning Hiragana (1)

Hiragana Charts (On New Tab)
First, open this and have a read through. Also, before you remember the whole hiragana, remember to keep it open while you're learning it, just as a means of quick reference.

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First, let's start with the first column of the hiragana.
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あ　'A'



Pronunciation	How to write them
Open your mouth wide and say astronomy. Then, say it again but this time, with the first a- lengthened out. Just like this; Aaaaaaaaaastronomy Cut off the 'stronomy' part and you will be able to say 'a' in Japanese	Shown in red above, write a horizontal stroke from left to right Shorn in blue, write a perpendicular stroke from top to bottom Look at the green on top, and mimic it. This is the only correct way to write this letter. Remember that the blue line has to penetrate through the green line.



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い　'I'

Pronunciation	How to write them
Open your mouth horizontally Say 'eek' the ee- sound is the letter 'I'	Write the parts written in red, from top to bottom. Weak, but with force, quickly put the 'hane' Write the part written in blue from top to bottom. Keep a decent space between the two strokes.

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う 'U'

Pronunciation	How to write them